Ubiquitous Mantle faces stakes winners in Wednesday turf-route feature
Keeneland begins its second full week of racing with a stakes-less card but a few stakes horses. The short field of six for Wednesday’s nominal feature, a $62,000 conditioned allowance for fillies and mares at 1 1/8 miles on turf, includes a pair of stakes winners and a few who could be headed that way if they continue their improvement.
Ubiquitous Mantle looks to be on the upswing after making her first start of 2015, and her first for trainer Michael Ewing, a winning one, taking an optional-claiming event by a head Sept. 16 at Kentucky Downs. Apprentice Jack Gilligan was aboard for that victory and retains the mount Wednesday.
Ubiquitous Mantle will get a class test as Annulment and Patsy’s Holiday are both stakes winners. Annulment, the winner of the 2014 Hatoof Stakes at Arlington, comes in off three consecutive stakes placings for trainer Vicki Oliver. The filly finished third in the Indiana General Assembly Distaff Stakes, second in the West Virginia Senate President’s Cup Stakes, and, most recently, third in the One Dreamer on Sept. 19 at Kentucky Downs, beaten just 1 1/4 lengths.
Patsy’s Holiday is winless since taking the Desert Vixen Stakes in July 2014 at Monmouth Park for trainer Todd Pletcher. She did finish second in the Miss Liberty Stakes this past May at Monmouth.
Two to Tango comes in off a head victory in an optional-claiming event on the Woodbine turf in August for trainer Brian Lynch.
Industrial Policy and Analog Girl complete the main body of the field. Didhementionmyname is entered for main track only, but with the weather in Lexington, Ky., expected to be sunny and dry for the better part of the week, she is unlikely to draw in.
KEY CONTENDERS
Annulment (Last 3 Beyers: 85-93-86)
◗ She is looking for her first victory since March but is getting class relief as she comes in off three consecutive stakes placings.
◗ She owns the field’s highest last-out Beyer Speed Figure with an 85, just a tick ahead of Patsy’s Holiday and Two to Tango, who each earned an 84 in their most recent start.
◗ She drew the inside post in the field of six under Robby Albarado.
Ubiquitous Mantle (Last 3 Beyers: 80-70-53)
◗ She earned a career-best Beyer last out in her first start of the year and her first for Ewing.
◗ Under apprentice rider Gilligan, she is drawn on the outside of the short field.